DIY: Reprogram Euro SMG software to US cars! (Faster shifts + 4k Launch Control) for free! - Page 35

Miguex · 10th October 2011, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by messex

So, 2 questions:

1. How many times did you do LC (roughly)
2. How old was the clutch, meaning, was it close probably, or did you really eat it up with LC?

Also, related - is there a way (using the cable/software, to determine Number of LCs done on a car)?

Good questions!

1) I didnt count but it was about more of 10 LC in a weekend.
2) The car has 75K Km (~45K miles). I suspected the clutch (never replaced since new) is about to be worn before the Euro SMG program.

That is nice to know about the "Black Box" with all the logs specially LCs. Maybe in INPA or DIS?

ttribe · 10th October 2011, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguex

Good questions!

1) I didnt count but it was about more of 10 LC in a weekend.
2) The car has 75K Km (~45K miles). I suspected the clutch (never replaced since new) is about to be worn before the Euro SMG program.

That is nice to know about the "Black Box" with all the logs specially LCs. Maybe in INPA or DIS?

Okay, that explains the dead clutch.

EuroCarFan · 11th October 2011, 00:57

Read the whole thread. What a roller coaster ride. Glad the members with the problems got their cars up and running again but I was sharing their pain while reading the drama unfold. haha

I want this but not comfortable doing this myself. My car's software was updated recently and my performance shop said they couldn't even get in to do coding for me. Not sure if it's because of the new software or maybe they're not that experienced with the coding process. Guess I'll just wait to see if anyone in NorCal can do this or maybe check with ESS. Funny thing is I've never even tried US LC but now I want this. haha

335xi · 11th October 2011, 01:42

So, dont attempt this unless you're ok with spending a few hundred bucks to have ESS fix your SMG Control Unit which a whole lot cheaper than having the dealer do it as their only solution would be a swap with a new control unit for around a grand plus programming costs.

messex · 11th October 2011, 02:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335xi

So, dont attempt this unless you're ok with spending a few hundred bucks to have ESS fix your SMG Control Unit .

So, is that how you got yours going again?

Vodyk · 17th October 2011, 02:04

Few updates:

I just got my ICOM in and have successfully flashed my engine ECU with it, the cable I had (and posted in the first thread) would fail in the same manner as 335xi issue and I would use the ESS tuner to restore my car. It seems the cable adds the chance of failure. I imagine the ICOM will have a 100% success rate or at least a very high rate with the ability to fix itself when it fails. This thread is a good example of why dealership don't like to flash our cars!

The ICOM unit is not for everyone and due to the price makes this less a DIY project then I had originally thought.

Tomorrow I will take pictures / video of breaking my ECU with a regular K+D-can cable and hopefully fixing it with the ICOM. If that is a success I will try my smg ecu as I don't have a backup (ess flash loader) for that ecu.

I don't believe the SMG ecu is vin coded ( will also test this ) and if they are not maybe we can setup mail in / program option for anyone not wanting to take the risk. The ecu does hold the vin in the UIF however you can change / or not update the UIF when you program.

Please everyone looking at this thread read and understand the risk. Everyone who has this done has given positive review so I hope the headache is worth it however it comes with some risk. I'm trying to reduce that risk and be able to fix units for people if they brake them.

messex · 17th October 2011, 11:57

So, Vodyk,

A couple of questions:

1. What kind of price range are we talking with this kit?
2. Where did you get it?
3. Did we determine that Cable Failure is what caused 335xi's issue, or at least think that was the issue?
4. Was it a matter of the cable coming undone, USB dropping connection, or maybe something else?
5. What is different about this cable (sorry for the ignorance on this) compared to the K+D+Can cable

Ok, that was more than a couple. Anyway, I want to personally thank you for all the effort you have put into this. I'm still wanting to do this, but have been just waiting, to try and find out if we know what caused the issues and ensure I have a fallback plan should things fail. I'll probably bite the bullet some day, but will continue to track this thread in the mean time, and try to glean as much information about this before jumping in with both feet.

Mark

ur20v · 17th October 2011, 12:29

Is that an ICOM from china? I think I posted a link to these...

jay

Vodyk · 17th October 2011, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ur20v

Is that an ICOM from china? I think I posted a link to these...

jay

I just found a picture online of it, that's not what I got. I will say tho I did get a clone, most people will not want to admit that. I don't quite know what you are trying to say with your post but I ordered mine a few days after 335xi's problem and when ece_m5 hinted to having zero issues using an icom.

Vodyk · 17th October 2011, 15:16

1. What kind of price range are we talking with this kit?
1k (clone) - 15k legit from what i saw. I got the clone

2. Where did you get it?
Rather not say yet till I have tested and know its 100% working

3. Did we determine that Cable Failure is what caused 335xi's issue, or at least think that was the issue?
We didn't. I'm trying to make that claim. Having a strong battery voltage is important and I'm sure can make a flash fail however I believe what happened to 335xi was more than that. I will have pictures this afternoon testing breaking / repairing an ecu.

4. Was it a matter of the cable coming undone, USB dropping connection, or maybe something else?
No if it was the cables we tried several times making sure they were secure it would just be some hardware missing / unable to guarantee 100% flash.

5. What is different about this cable (sorry for the ignorance on this) compared to the K+D+Can cable
I don't know. It could be something simple about a regular cable that doesn't play well with the software or quality issue.

Ill keep everyone up to date as I know more.